Before the 26,000 spectators gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome, the Pope condemned the futility of war and addressed the stalled peace process.
"May the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in a sincere, direct and respectful dialogue," the Pope said, urging the crowd to pray for the victims of the war.
"Let us pray especially for the suffering people of Ukraine," he said.
Earlier on Christmas Day, the Pope held Mass and recalled the difficult conditions in which Jesus was born and drew a parallel to the situation in Gaza.
"How can we not think of the tents in Gaza, which have been exposed to rain, wind and cold for weeks," said Leo XIV, adding that the inhabitants of the area "have nothing left and have lost everything".
